A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kinsale vs. Calais for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Kinsale or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kinsale and Calais can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kinsale

Kinsale is a quaint, picturesque, and colorful seaside town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Kinsale and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kinsale or Calais?

Both Calais and Kinsale have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Kinsale is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Calais is known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities. Kinsale is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its colorful houses, excellent restaurants, and beautiful seaside walks. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Kinsale different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Kinsale. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kinsale or Calais?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Kinsale and Calais.

Kinsale offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to the colorful old town, you can check out Charles Fort, James Fort, and Old Head Signal Tower. The town is filled with history and many unique landmarks that are worth exploring.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Kinsale or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kinsale is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Kinsale is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. For such a small town, it really has an impressive food scene and many people consider it to be the culinary capital of Ireland. The food scene includes Michelin starred restaurants and local cafes.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Most people don't head to Kinsale specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town that's not known for its nightlife scene. There are a couple of traditional Irish pubs in town.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a city with good options for the beache. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for the beach.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

The beach in Kinsale is worth checking out. You'll find a number of beaches within about 20 minutes of town. The closest is Kinsale Beach, which is about 3 kilometers from the center of town. For a more peaceful setting, head out of town and check out Sandycove Beach, Garrylucas Blue Flag Beach, and Coolmain Beach.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Kinsale is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Kinsale. The old town is filled with brightly colored houses, and it offers a unique setting that's different from many of Europe's more standard old towns.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for Hiking?

Kinsale is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

Kinsale is a good destination for hiking. There are many seaside walks just outside of town.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kinsale or Calais?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kinsale and Calais both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kinsale. There are a number of shops around town that highlight Irish designers and local brands.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for Families?

Both Kinsale and Calais are good to visit with kids.

Kinsale offers lots of family activities. If your kids need a break from the tourist circuit, there are a couple of playgrounds and outdoor centers around town. There's also one hour pony treks available at the Kinsale Equestrian Centre.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Kinsale and Calais are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Kinsale makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. From coastal walks to quaint streets, there are many picturesque places that a couple can explore. The town also has an impressive restaurant scene where couples can enjoy a great meal.

Calais is a good seaside town for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kinsale is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kinsale. There are a couple of hostels around town where you can meet other backpackers.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Kinsale or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calais is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Public transit is generally limited in Kinsale. The town has buses that pass through.

Is Kinsale or Calais a more walkable city?

Kinsale and Calais are good when it comes to walkability.

Kinsale is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is relatively compact and walkable. There are also many seaside walks just outside of town.

Calais is a somewhat walkable seaside town. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Kinsale Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Kinsale?

How long in Kinsale or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kinsale and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Kinsale. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kinsale, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Kinsale than Calais. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kinsale, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kinsale than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kinsale.

One day in Kinsale or Calais?

Kinsale might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Kinsale or Calais?

Kinsale is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calais has to offer.

Five days in Kinsale or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kinsale. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Kinsale or Calais?

Kinsale is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Kinsale and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kinsale Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kinsale or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kinsale. When comparing the sizes of Kinsale and Calais, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kinsale or Calais?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kinsale or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kinsale as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Kinsale for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kinsale is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kinsale in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. In the summer, Kinsale often gets less sunshine than Calais. Kinsale gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Kinsale usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Kinsale gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kinsale or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Kinsale are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kinsale in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Kinsale is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Kinsale average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Kinsale usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Kinsale gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kinsale usually receives more rain than Calais. Kinsale gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kinsale or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Kinsale during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kinsale for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. Kinsale is a little warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Kinsale averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Kinsale often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Kinsale gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kinsale. Kinsale usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Kinsale gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kinsale or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kinsale and Calais. The spring months attract visitors to Kinsale because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the spring, Kinsale is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kinsale in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Kinsale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Kinsale gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kinsale usually receives more rain than Calais. Kinsale gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Kinsale